5-6. Adonijah was King David and Haggith’s son. He was born next after Absalom. He was a very handsome man. He said, “I will be the king.” So he got chariots and horses for himself. And he got 50 men to run ahead of him. Now David had never interfered with him by questioning what he did.
7. Adonijah talked with Joab son of Zeruiah. He also talked with Abiathar the priest. They told him they would help him.
8. But several men did not join Adonijah. These men were Zadok the priest, Benaiah son of Jehoiada, Nathan the prophet, Shimei, Rei and King David’s special guard.
9. Then Adonijah killed some sheep, cows and fat calves for sacrifices. He made these sacrifices at the Stone of Zoheleth near the spring, En Rogel. He invited all his brothers, the other sons of King David, to come. He invited all the rulers and leaders of Judah also.
10. But Adonijah did not invite Nathan the prophet, Benaiah, his father’s special guard or his brother Solomon.
11. When Nathan heard about this, he went to Bathsheba. She was the mother of Solomon. Nathan asked her, “Have you heard what Adonijah, Haggith’s son, is doing? He has made himself king. And our real king, David, does not know it.
12. Your life and the life of your son Solomon may be in danger. But I will tell you how to save yourselves.
13. Go to King David and say to him, ‘My master and king, you made a promise to me. You promised that my son Solomon would be the king after you. You said he would rule on your throne. So why has Adonijah become king?’
14. While you are still talking to him, I will come in. I will tell the king that what you have said about Adonijah is true.”
15. So Bathsheba went in to see the king in his bedroom. He was now very old. Abishag, the girl from Shunam, was caring for him there.
16. Bathsheba bowed down before the king.He asked, “What do you want?”
17. She answered, “My master, you made a promise to me in the name of the Lord your God. You said, ‘Your son Solomon will become king after me. He will rule on my throne.’
18. But now Adonijah has become king. And you did not know it.
19. Adonijah has killed many cows, fat calves and sheep for sacrifices. And he has invited all your sons. He also has invited Abiathar the priest and Joab the commander of your army. But he did not invite Solomon, your son who serves you.
20. My master and king, all the people of Israel are watching you. They are waiting for you to decide who will be king after you.
21. As soon as you die, Solomon and I will be treated as criminals.”
22. While Bathsheba was still talking with the king, Nathan the prophet arrived.
23. The servants told the king, “Nathan the prophet is here.” So Nathan went to the king and bowed facedown on the ground before him.